Pendant hoist control device

ABSTRACT

The hoist control features a casing of pistol grip like construction, which serves to enclose electrical switches, and an externally mounted rocker operator for controlling operation of the switches. Rocker movement is transmitted to the switches through a moisture sealing diaphragm and a switch actuating means arranged within the casing for movement in response to rocker induced movement of the diaphragm.

I Unlted States Patent 1151 3,654,415 Hawkins et al. [451 Apr. 4, 1972[s41 PENDANT HOIST CONTROL DEVICE 3,255,637 6/1966 Boyles ..200/168 G x3,431,378 3/1969 l-lel1man.... ..200/168 0 [721 Invenmrs "f Ralph Dickbmh 3,126,467 3/1964 Stevens, 11.... ....200/l68 0 0f wllllamsvllle, 8"Bongo", 3,274,631 9/1966 Spohr ..200/157 x Southfield, Mich. [731Assignee: Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Tona- Primary Examiner JonesWanda, Attorney-Bean & Bean [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT[21] Appl. No.: 75,087 The hoist control features a casing of pistolgrip like construction, which serves to enclose electrical switches, andan externally mounted rocker operator for controlling operation of the[52] "zoo/168 200/157 switches. Rocker movement is transmitted to theswitches [51] 9/06 Holh 9/04 through a moisture sealing diaphragm and aswitch actuating [58] Field of Search ..200/168 G, 157 ean arrangedwithin the casing for movement in response to rocker induced movement ofthe diaphragm. [56] References Cited 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,472,983 10/1969 Satkunas et a1. ..200/168 G PENDANTI-IOIST CONTROL DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to pendant controls for hoists or the like.

The present control features a casing having an end portion of pistolgrip like configuration, and one or more exteriorally mounted rocker armactuators arranged to be engaged by the thumb of the hand of a usergripping the casing. The casing is formed in two halves, which arejoined to securely clamp a flexible moisture sealing diaphragmtherebetween; one of the halves having an opening through which therocker arm extends for engagement with the diaphragm. A switch actuatingmeans is arranged within the casing for movement in response to rockerarm induced movements of the diaphragm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch actuating meansincludes a rocker member and a slide plate mounted for reciprocationupon pivotal movement of the rocker member. A spring device is employedto return the slide plate, rocker member and thus the rocker arm to aninitial, centered or switch-off position immediately upon removal of auser's thumb from the rocker arm. Also, a modified arrangement isprovided for employing the same rocker arm to successively performplural switching operations, thereby permitting the present control topossess utility in controlling the operation of plural speed electricmotors.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the diaphragm isprovided with a pair of integrally formed projections, which arearranged for engagement with a pair of pivotally supported electricalswitches. In this embodiment, the rocker arm and switches are returnedto their initial positions, when thumb pressure is removed from therocker arm, by leaf spring devices deformed during rocker arm inducedpivotal movement of the switches.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of the present invention will be more fullydescribed in the following detailed description taken with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a control formed in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a slightlymodified construction;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but showing an alternativeembodiment of the present control;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified constructionof the control of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A control device formed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention is generally designated as10 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Control 10 generally includes a casing 12 having casing halves l4 and15, which are suitably joined as by screw fasteners 16. As will beapparent from viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower end of casing 12, whichis generally designated as 18, is pistol-grip like in configuration inorder to facilitate the gripping and operation of control 10 by eitherhand of a user.

Casing halves 14 and 15 are hollowed, such as to provide a cavity inwhich an electric switch assembly 22 having one or more switches, notshown, is arranged. Switch assembly 22 is shown as being mounted oncasing half 14 by a support bracket 24, which is in turn suitablyaffixed to casing half 14, as by screw device 25. Switch assembly 22 isof the type including a slide member 26, which is arranged above bracketopening 27 for reciprocation in opposite directions for the purpose ofactuating the switches of the assembly in a desired sequence.

Switch assembly 22 may be electrically connected to an art device to becontrolled, such as the motor of an electrically operated hoist, notshown, by a control suspension cable 28 suitably sealed within outletopening 29 of casing half 14. An anchor screw device 30, which is fixedto casing half 14, may be employed to directly connect casing 12 tosuspension cable 28 in order to relieve any strain imposed on theelectrical connections of assembly 22 during manual manipulation of thecontrol.

Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that casing half 15 isformed with an opening 32 arranged in communication with cavity 20.Switch assembly 22 is fluid sealed relative to opening 32 by flexiblediaphragm 34, which is preferably clampingly secured in a sandwichedrelationship between casing halves 14 and 15. The fluid seal afforded byclamping diaphragm 34 between the casing halves is enhanced by providingthe diaphragm with integrally formed projections 36 receivable withinslots 38 of easing half 14. Further, diaphragm 34 may be rendered moreflexible adjacent opening 32 by forming the diaphragm such as to formopening bounding fold 39.

A rocker arm 40 to be used in operating the switches of assembly 22 ismounted on casing half 15, as by pivot pin shaft 42, for pivotalmovement in opposite directions from its normal or centered operatingposition illustrated in FIG. 2. Preferably, rocker arm 40 is arrangedwithin opening 32 and provided with feet-like operators 40a and 40b,which are normally arranged in non-deforming engagement with the outersurface of diaphragm 34, when the rocker arm is in its normal position.It will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 1 and 2, that rocker arm 40 isarranged such as to facilitate pivotal operating movement thereof by thethumb of the hand of the user gripping pistol grip end portion 18.

An actuator or motion-transmitting device, generally designated as 50,is arranged within cavity 20 for the purpose of imparting actuatingmovement to switch assembly operating slide member 26 in response tomovement imparted to diaphragm 34 upon pivotal movement of rocker arm40. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, actuator 50includes a rocker member 52, which is supported for pivotal movement byrivet pin 54 carried on switch assembly mounting bracket flange 56; anda slide plate 58, which is slideably received between mounting bracket24 and casing half 14. Slide plate 58 is suitably constrained forreciprocating movement, as by casing guide post 60, which is slideablyreceived within slide plate slot opening 62. Rocker member 52 defines apair of feet members 52a and 52b, which are normally arranged forengagement with the inner surface of diaphragm 34 in alignment withrocker arm operators 40a and 40b, respectively. Rocker member 52additionally includes a necked end portion 64, which is received withinslide plate opening 66. Slide plate 58 is operably connected to slidemember 26 by an integrally formed stud 69, which is freely receivedwithin mounting bracket opening 27.

Thus, when rocker arm 40 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 2, diaphragm 34 is deformed by operator 40a, rocker member 52 isforced to rotate in a clockwise direction by the diaphragm, slide plate58 is forced to reciprocate vertically downwardly by the rocker member,and slide member 26 forced to reciprocate vertically downwardly by theslide plate into one of its switching positions. When rocker arm 40 ispivoted in an opposite direction, the movements of the rocker member,slide plate and slide member are of course reversed.

As by way of example only, when control 10 is used to control operationof an electrically operated hoist, pivotal movement of rocker arm 40 indirections opposite from its centered position, shown in FIG. 2, willresult in either the lowering or elevating the hoist chain or cable.

In view of safety considerations, it is preferable to both automaticallyreturn and retain rocker arm 40 in its centered position, whenever thethumb of the user is intentionally or accidentally removed therefrom.Thus, the centered position of rocker arm 40 may be characterized asbeing its switch off or neutral position. To this end, there is employeda coil spring 70 received within facing slot apertures 72 and 74, whichare provided in casing half 14 and slide plate 58, respectively.Apertures 72 and 74 are aligned with the direction in which the slideplate is reciprocated and have end surfaces engageable with therespective ends of spring 70. As will be apparent from viewing FIG. 2,when slide plate 58 is reciprocated and rocker arm 40 is subsequentlyfreed for movement, the bias of spring 70 tends to return the slideplate and thus the rocker arm to their initial positions, whereinaperture 74 is returned and disposed in relative alignment with aperture72.

FIG. 3 illustrates a slightly modified control construction 10, which isparticularly adapted to successively operate plural switches when rockerarm 40 is pivoted in a given direction, thereby possessing utility inthe control of plural speed electric motors. In this construction, theswitch assembly heretofore described is replaced with plural switches22, which are gang mounted on bracket 24 and include operating plungers22a freely received within bracket opening 27'. Plungers 22a are adaptedto be received one in each of a plurality of parallel slide plate slots80, only one being shown in FIG. 3. By appropriately staggering slots80, the sequence in which plungers 22a are depressed to effect actuationof the several switches 22' may be controlled, such as to provide forlow speed hoist operation during an initial portion of rocker armmovement and for high speed hoist operation during a final portion ofrocker arm movement.

In order to prevent unintentional initiation of high speed operationwhen only low speed operation of the control shown in FIG. 3 is desired,the rocker arm retaining arrangement heretofore described isadditionally provided with a second coil spring 81. Coil spring 81 isreceived within facing slot apertures 82 and 84, which are provided incasing half 14 and slide plate 58, respectively, and aligned with thepath of slide plate movement. Aperture 84 is shown as having a greaterlength than aperture 82; the difference in lengths therebetween delayinginitiation of the compression of spring 81 until immediately before theslide plate has been moved sufficiently to initiate closing of switches22' for high speed hoist operation. Additional thumb pressure musttherefore be applied before high speed operation can be obtained.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentcontrol, which is generally designated as in FIG. 4. In this embodimenta pair of switches 22a and 22b are mounted on casing half 14 for pivotalmovement on pivot shafts 90, such that their operating plungers 22a maybe compressed by engagement with casing half 14 when the switches arepivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 4. Suitablemeans, such as leaf springs 92a and 92b are affixed to casing half 14 inorder to maintain switches 22a and 22b in their normal positions shownin FIG. 4.

Also, as will be apparent from viewing FIG. 4, the hereinabove describedswitch actuating mechanical linkage is replaced by the simplifiedconstruction generally designated at 50'. This construction includes apair of actuating members or projections 94a and 94b, which arepreferably molded integrally with a diaphragm 34. Preferably, whenrocker arm 40 is in its illustrated centered position, operators 40a and40b abut against diaphragm 34, such as to maintain projections 94a and94b in surface engagement with switches 22a and 22b, respectively. Aswill be apparent, pivotal movement of rocker arm 40 in the clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 4, will effect actuating pivotal movementof switch 22a against its operating plunger 22a and the return bias ofleaf spring 92a, whereas rotation of the rocker arm in the oppositedirection will effect actuating pivotal movement of switch 22a againstits operating plunger 22b and the return bias of leaf spring 92b.

FIG. 6 illustrates a control construction 10", which is structurallysimilar to control 10" of FIG. 4, but serves to incorporate pluralcontrols in a single control unit. Thus, control 10" includes rocker arm40, which may be employed to control vertical movement of the chain of ahoist, and an additional rocker arm 40, which may be employed to controlmovement of the hoist along an elevated trackway. In this construction,rocker arm 40 is adapted to operate two pairs of microswitches 22a, 22bvia pairs of actuating members 94a, 94b, and rocker arm 40 is adapted totwo pairs of microswitches 22a", 22b" via pairs of actuating members94a, 94b. To facilitate mounting of the microswitches, microswitches22a, 22b, and 22a", 22b" are mounted on common pivot shafts and 90,respectively.

It will be understood that casing parts 14 and 15 may, as desired, beformed of either metal or plastic and fabricated in any desired manner,such as by molding. Further, diaphragm 34 may be formed from anysuitable rubber or plastic composition which provides a moisture sealand is not readily deteriorated upon exposure to oil, grease or thelike. Also, if desired, diaphragm 34 may be designed to assist inreturning the rocker arm to its centered position in addition toperforming its normal sealing and motion-transmitting functions.

While several embodiments of the present control have been described indetail, various additional modifications thereof will likely occur tothose skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Thus, itis considered to be broadly within the scope of the present invention toemploy only one electrical switch, thereby necessitating that the rockerarm pivot in only one direction relative to its normal operatingposition. Further, spring devices other than those specificallydescribed may be employed in each embodiment of the control for thepurpose of retaining the rocker arm in one or more of its switchoperating positions.

We claim:

1. A control device comprising in combination:

a casing characterized as having an end portion of pistol grip shapedconfiguration, said casing having a cavity therein and having an openingin communication with said cavity, said casing being formed of matingcasing halves and said opening being defined by one of said casinghalves;

at least one electrical switch arranged within said cavity;

flexible diaphragm means for sealing said opening, said diaphragm meansbeing clampingly secured in a sandwiched relationship between saidcasing halves and said diaphragm means cooperating with another of saidcasing halves to define said cavity;

manually operated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly of said casingfor pivotal movement between switch operating positions, said rocker armmeans being disposed adjacent said opening for engagement with saiddiaphragm means; and said rocker arm means being arranged for engagementby the thumb of the hand of a user gripping said casing end portion;

switch actuating means, said actuating means being arranged within saidcavity for switch actuating movement in response to said rocker armmeans induced movement of said diaphragm means; and

means tending to retain said rocker arm means in one of said operatingposition.

2. A control device comprising in combination:

a casing, said casing having a cavity therein and having an opening incommunication with said cavity;

at least one electrical switch arranged within said cavity;

flexible diaphragm means for sealing said opening;

manually operated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly of said casingfor pivotal movement between switch operating positions, said rocker armmeans being disposed adjacent said opening for engagement with saiddiaphragm means;

switch actuating means, said switch actuating means being arrangedwithin said cavity for switch actuating movement in response to saidrocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm means, said switchactuating means including a rocker member mounted for pivotal movementin response to rocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm meansand a switch operating slide plate mounted for reciprocating movement inresponse to pivotal movement of said rocker member; and

means tending to retain said rocker arm means in one of said operatingposition.

3. A control device according to claim 2, wherein said retaining meansincludes spring means resiliently interconnecting said casing and saidslide plate.

4. A control switch according to claim 3, wherein said slide plate andsaid casing are each provided with apertures aligned with the path ofreciprocation of said slide plate, said spring means includes a coilspring having ends thereof arranged for abutting engagement with ends ofsaid apertures, said coil spring tending to maintain said apertures inrelative alignment, and said rocker arm means being retained in said oneposition when said apertures are in relative alignment. 7

5. A control device according to claim 4, wherein at least two switchesare provided in combination, said slide plate being adapted to actuatesaid switches in succession during first and second portions of pivotalmovement of said rocker arm means from said one position to another ofsaid operating positions, said spring means includes another coilspring, said slide plate and said casing are each provided with anotheraperture aligned with said path of reciprocation, said other casingaperture being shorter than said other slide plate aperture in adirection aligned with said path of reciprocation, said other coilspring having ends thereof arranged in abutting engagement with ends ofsaid other casing aperture and engageable with at least one end of saidother slide plate aperture only during said second portion of pivotalmovement.

6. A control device according to claim 4, wherein said rocker arm meansis mounted for pivotal movement in opposite directions from said oneposition into other operating positions thereof, and said one positionbeing a switchoff neutral position.

7. A control device according to claim 2, wherein at least two switchesare provided in combination, said slide plate being adapted to actuatesaid switches in succession during first and second portions of pivotalmovement of said rocker arm means from said one position to another ofsaid operating positions, said retaining means includes a pair of springmeans, a first of said spring means tending to return said rocker armmeans to said one position during both said portions of pivotal movementand a second of spring means tending to return said rocker arm means tosaid one position only during said second portion of pivotal movement.

8. A control device comprising in combination: a casing, said casinghaving a cavity therein and having an opening in communication with saidcavity; at least one electrical switch arranged within said cavity, saidswitch being supported within said cavity for pivotal movement betweenswitching positions; flexible diaphragm means for sealing said opening;manually operated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly of said casingfor pivotal movement between switch operating positions, said rocker armmeans being disposed adjacent said opening for engagement with saiddiaphragm means; switch actuating means, said actuating means beingarranged within said cavity for switch actuating movement in response tosaid rocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm means, saidactuating means including at least one actuating member fixed to saiddiaphragm means and arranged for engagement with said switch; and meanstending to retain said rocker arm means in one of said operatingposition, said retaining means including spring means resilientlyinterconnecting said casing and said switch. 9. A control deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein said rocker arm means is mounted forpivotal movement in opposite directions from said one position intoother operating positions thereof, two switches are provided incombination, said retaining means includes two leaf springs provided onein association With each said switch, a pair of actuating members arefixed to said diaphragm means and arranged for engagement one with eachof said switches, said leaf springs tending to maintain said rocker armmeans in said one position, and said one position being a switch offneutral position.

1. A control device comprising in combination: a casing characterized ashaving an end portion of pistol grip shaped configuration, said casinghaving a cavity therein and having an opening in communication with saidcavity, said casing being formed of mating casing halves and saidopening being defined by one of said casing halves; at least oneelectrical switch arranged within said cavity; flexible diaphragm meansfor sealing said opening, said diaphragm means being clampingly securedin a sandwiched relationship between said casing halves and saiddiaphragm means cooperating with another of said casing halves to deFinesaid cavity; manually operated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly ofsaid casing for pivotal movement between switch operating positions,said rocker arm means being disposed adjacent said opening forengagement with said diaphragm means; and said rocker arm means beingarranged for engagement by the thumb of the hand of a user gripping saidcasing end portion; switch actuating means, said actuating means beingarranged within said cavity for switch actuating movement in response tosaid rocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm means; andmeans tending to retain said rocker arm means in one of said operatingposition.
 2. A control device comprising in combination: a casing, saidcasing having a cavity therein and having an opening in communicationwith said cavity; at least one electrical switch arranged within saidcavity; flexible diaphragm means for sealing said opening; manuallyoperated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly of said casing for pivotalmovement between switch operating positions, said rocker arm means beingdisposed adjacent said opening for engagement with said diaphragm means;switch actuating means, said switch actuating means being arrangedwithin said cavity for switch actuating movement in response to saidrocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm means, said switchactuating means including a rocker member mounted for pivotal movementin response to rocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm meansand a switch operating slide plate mounted for reciprocating movement inresponse to pivotal movement of said rocker member; and means tending toretain said rocker arm means in one of said operating position.
 3. Acontrol device according to claim 2, wherein said retaining meansincludes spring means resiliently interconnecting said casing and saidslide plate.
 4. A control switch according to claim 3, wherein saidslide plate and said casing are each provided with apertures alignedwith the path of reciprocation of said slide plate, said spring meansincludes a coil spring having ends thereof arranged for abuttingengagement with ends of said apertures, said coil spring tending tomaintain said apertures in relative alignment, and said rocker arm meansbeing retained in said one position when said apertures are in relativealignment.
 5. A control device according to claim 4, wherein at leasttwo switches are provided in combination, said slide plate being adaptedto actuate said switches in succession during first and second portionsof pivotal movement of said rocker arm means from said one position toanother of said operating positions, said spring means includes anothercoil spring, said slide plate and said casing are each provided withanother aperture aligned with said path of reciprocation, said othercasing aperture being shorter than said other slide plate aperture in adirection aligned with said path of reciprocation, said other coilspring having ends thereof arranged in abutting engagement with ends ofsaid other casing aperture and engageable with at least one end of saidother slide plate aperture only during said second portion of pivotalmovement.
 6. A control device according to claim 4, wherein said rockerarm means is mounted for pivotal movement in opposite directions fromsaid one position into other operating positions thereof, and said oneposition being a switchoff neutral position.
 7. A control deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein at least two switches are provided incombination, said slide plate being adapted to actuate said switches insuccession during first and second portions of pivotal movement of saidrocker arm means from said one position to another of said operatingpositions, said retaining means includes a pair of spring means, a firstof said spring means tending to return said rocker arm means to said oneposition during both said portions of pivotal movement and a second ofspring means tendinG to return said rocker arm means to said oneposition only during said second portion of pivotal movement.
 8. Acontrol device comprising in combination: a casing, said casing having acavity therein and having an opening in communication with said cavity;at least one electrical switch arranged within said cavity, said switchbeing supported within said cavity for pivotal movement betweenswitching positions; flexible diaphragm means for sealing said opening;manually operated rocker arm means arranged exteriorly of said casingfor pivotal movement between switch operating positions, said rocker armmeans being disposed adjacent said opening for engagement with saiddiaphragm means; switch actuating means, said actuating means beingarranged within said cavity for switch actuating movement in response tosaid rocker arm means induced movement of said diaphragm means, saidactuating means including at least one actuating member fixed to saiddiaphragm means and arranged for engagement with said switch; and meanstending to retain said rocker arm means in one of said operatingposition, said retaining means including spring means resilientlyinterconnecting said casing and said switch.
 9. A control deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein said rocker arm means is mounted forpivotal movement in opposite directions from said one position intoother operating positions thereof, two switches are provided incombination, said retaining means includes two leaf springs provided onein association with each said switch, a pair of actuating members arefixed to said diaphragm means and arranged for engagement one with eachof said switches, said leaf springs tending to maintain said rocker armmeans in said one position, and said one position being a switch offneutral position.